first-rate
Americanadjective
-
excellent; superb.
-
of the highest rank, rate, or class.
adverb
adjective
-
of the best or highest rated class or quality
-
informal very good; excellent
adverb
Etymology
Origin of first-rate
First recorded in 1660–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Blimey, we could have a new first-rate traitor hunter on our hands here.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
But only one of his works is truly first-rate: 2015’s “The Revenant.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
The Fed funds futures are pricing around a 92% probability of a 25bps hike, marking the first-rate increase since 2023.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
“You have to be first-rate in your storytelling.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026
“He talks little, sir: what he does say is ever to the point. His brain is first-rate, I should think not impressible, but vigorous.”
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
